Why drink spirit of ammonia and water?

I was given this as a child to stop the intense itching of hives. My Grandmother said it cools the blood, whatever! all I cared about was relief, Tasted terrible but (IT WORKED) , I now recently had hives & read that in the 1800's they mixed it with Coke.... * I mixed 1 tsp. of SOA in an 8 oz glass of Coke, itch free in 15 minutes. google it yourself.